ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bangladesh on Thursday resumed high-level diplomatic talks after a 15-year hiatus, as the Foreign Secretaries of both countries met in Dhaka to strengthen ties and promote people-to-people contacts.
The 6th round of Foreign Secretary Level Consultations (FSLC) between the two countries was held in Dhaka on Thursday. The talks between the two South Asian nations were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere.
Pakistan side was led by Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, whereas, the Bangladesh side was led by Foreign Secretary Mohammad Jashim Uddin.
According to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two sides held forward-looking discussions covering the entire spectrum of bilateral relations.
The two sides discussed political dialogue, economic and trade cooperation, collaboration in agriculture, education, environment, cultural exchanges, defence relations, and facilitation of people-to-people linkages. Both countries also explored new avenues of cooperation.
Pakistan and Bangladesh also agreed to hold the 7th round of consultations in Islamabad in 2026.
During her two-day visit to Dhaka, Amna Baloch also called on Bangladesh’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Touhid Hossain, and the country’s Chief Adviser, Dr Muhammad Yunus.
During her meeting with Bangladesh’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs, trade and investment opportunities, youth linkages, regional integration, and revival of SAARC were discussed.
During the meeting, trade and investment opportunities, youth linkages, regional cooperation, revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and enhancement of trade and economic ties were discussed.
Dr Yunus shared his vision for deepening Pakistan-Bangladesh relations and stressed the importance of youth engagement, regional integration, and investment opportunities.
While talking to Dr Yunus, Foreign Secretary Baloch conveyed best wishes from Pakistan’s leadership and expressed Islamabad’s desire for enhanced bilateral engagement.
Diplomatic sources confirmed that during talks with Bangladesh authorities, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary finalised the agenda for the upcoming visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The Foreign Secretary also finalised the schedule for the Deputy Prime Minister’s visit, who will now travel to Bangladesh on April 27 and 28.
Foreign Secretary Baloch would also attend meetings with local think tanks and the Pakistani diaspora in Dhaka later on Thursday.
Bangladesh hosted a lunch in honour of the visiting Pakistani delegation.
Since the fall of the Awami League-led government on 5 August last year, diplomatic contacts between the two countries have increased.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bangladesh’s interim leader Dr Muhammad Yunus have met twice in recent months—first on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2023, and then during the D-8 summit in Cairo in December.
Bangladesh has eased visa restrictions for Pakistani nationals and launched direct shipping services between the two countries.
